Parnham Confident in 2014 C.B. Cox Stakes Chances of Bass Strait

December 15th, 2014

Securing his most impressive career win to date when partnering the classy five-year-old to success in the Group 3 R.J. Peters Stakes (1500m) on November 15th, young Perth-based jockey Chris Parnham is excited by his chances of success aboard Bass Strait in Saturday’s featured Group 2 C.B. Cox Stakes (2100m) at Ascot Racecourse.

Securing four wins and as many minor places from his 27 competitive race starts so far, Bass Strait began his racing career under the guidance of renowned east coast trainer David Hayes before being purchased and transferred to the care of Neville Parnham partway through his current campaign.

Having progressed to credible sixth place finishes in each of the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) following his R.J. Peters Stakes triumph, Chris Parnham is confident the recent form displayed by the Holy Roman Emperor gelding and the conditions of the C.B. Cox Stakes will play into his strengths this weekend.

“He was a good run last start,” Parnham told the West Australian.

“He probably just got a bit too far back. Hopefully he’ll be a bit more forward in the Cox Stakes.”

Offered the chance to head east and ride track work for trainer Wez Hunter this week, Parnham has secured competitive rides at Moonee Valley on Friday night, Parnham believes he will take invaluable experience from the trip and will return West early on Saturday to take the ride on Bass Strait in the C.B. Cox Stakes.

“I’ve been over here since Thursday riding a bit of trackwork at Flemington and Mornington,” Parnham said.

“I’m riding work at Moonee Valley on Monday and Caulfield on Tuesday.

“It’s a pretty good experience and it’s a good thing to do while I’m suspended. At this stage I’ll ride at Moonee Valley Friday night and possibly during the day (at Yarra Valley) as well.”

Unable to secure much of a competitive run of form for Hayes and co-trainer Tom Dabernig leading into his Perth transfer, Bass Strait finished seventh in a minor over 1400m first-up on August 30th, progressing to sixth in the Spring Is The Season Handicap (1700m) and ninth in the Caulfield RSL Welfare Plate (1700m) in his only other starts.

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